Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Anyone here actually stayed at the Zoo Hotel? We managed to snag a reservation and everything looks perfect on paper... but still... I’m looking for some heads-up on what to watch out for. After reading that horror story about those wedding guests who left starving... yikes, gave me the chills. I called the manager immediately to grill him about it, and he just brushed it off as one massive misunderstanding that’ll never happen again. Honestly, the ballroom looks stunning, but I haven't been able to find any actual photos from a real wedding held there...

Hey ladies! Just checking in because I finally got my hands on the photos and the video from yesterday... So, here’s the deal: we originally agreed on 200 shots in the album, but I just sat down to count them and there are actually 264! It’s a mix of everything from those little 3x5 prints up to the big 8x10s, and honestly, everything looks gorgeous and is organized so perfectly. As for the video, we talked about maybe two hours, but I watched it and it’s actually 2.5 hours long... It includes five of those quick 4-minute highlight clips, plus the guest book footage which runs about 10-12 minutes. Basically, these guys went above and beyond what we signed for, and they didn't even ask for an extra dime. On top of all that, I also got 120 extra small prints from the reception! I am seriously so grateful—they do amazing work and their prices aren't even steep. I’d tell anyone looking for a crew: definitely check out their portfolio. If you like what you see, just go for it. You really can't go wrong with them. That's all for now, talk soon! 🙂🙂

Casey Hernandez21 said:Those prices usually cover just the $1167.
Keep in mind, that’s strictly for the suit itself—it doesn't include the shirt, the vest, or any other accessories.
I suspect those same price points apply in New York as well.

Thanks. I suppose the prices really are about the same... you'd find that in New York City too
A full set would probably run you around $750😲

ruggedtrucker5 said:If you're looking for great desserts, Katarina's Bakery over in Ivankov is absolutely fantastic! Lately, I've noticed their treats being served at weddings over at the Admiral—they really know how to make an impression.

I actually know this couple out in St. Louis who makes some really incredible pastries. They're actually about to get their official certification and everything, so they'll be all set soon. I don't want to sound like I'm advertising them or anything... but just let me know if anyone happens to be looking.😉

Ugh, guys, my wedding is approaching at lightning speed... it's happening in about a month, 😲
and I’m still stuck in this total limbo regarding my hair. I need some kind of headpiece or accessory, but honestly? I have zero clue where to even start looking or how to navigate this whole thing. Does anyone actually know anything about this?

I was thinking maybe I could swing by some bridal boutiques to ask, but I'm not sure if they even carry those kinds of things, or if I can even rent or buy something there if I don't end up getting the actual dress from them.

Help a girl out! 😵😵

Sandra Morgan7 said:Ugh, guys, my wedding is approaching at lightning speed... it's happening in about a month, 😲
and I’m still stuck in this total limbo regarding my hair. I need some kind of headpiece or accessory, but honestly? I have zero clue where to even start looking or how to navigate this whole thing. Does anyone actually know anything about this?

I was thinking maybe I could swing by some bridal boutiques to ask, but I'm not sure if they even carry those kinds of things, or if I can even rent or buy something there if I don't end up getting the actual dress from them.

Help a girl out! 😵😵

I would suggest asking at the same bridal salon where you plan to rent your gown. Honestly, I'm a little surprised they haven't brought it up to you already! If they don't have anything, try reaching out to the hairstylist who will be doing your wedding look; they might be able to special order something for you, whether you're looking for those sparkly crystal pieces or perhaps a delicate hair vine...🤷

I’ve already booked someone to do my wedding dress alterations, and my regular stylist is handling the hair... but I’m starting to realize she might not actually know a decent seamstress in this area. 🤷

So, looks like I’ll be playing tourist in local salons instead. Anyone have any solid leads? I really don't have the luxury of wandering around aimlessly looking for perfection. 🙄

Sandra Morgan7 said:I’ve already booked someone to do my wedding dress alterations, and my regular stylist is handling the hair... but I’m starting to realize she might not actually know a decent seamstress in this area. 🤷

So, looks like I’ll be playing tourist in local salons instead. Anyone have any solid leads? I really don't have the luxury of wandering around aimlessly looking for perfection. 🙄

Just let me know what area you're in... you can always send me a private message, and I'll do my absolute best to point you toward somewhere that can pull this off.

There are plenty of treasures to find in thrift stores... everything from jewelry to hair accessories. I recently stopped buying Swarovski; it felt too sentimental, and I'm just not that type of person. However, you can find incredible pieces here for next to nothing.🙂I found them while browsing through Chicago. I'm not sure if those little shops are still around elsewhere, but I assume they are.🙂🙂

Hey everyone, I could really use a little help from the group! Has anyone here been to Pearl for hair styling? I’m trying to get an idea of what they charge for wedding updos... I'm desperate for a solid recommendation because my past experiences with formal hairstyling have been nothing short of disastrous.
Also, does anyone happen to know roughly what Crown charges for bridal cakes?? Thanks in advance for the help! ;-)

Angela Davis74 said:There are plenty of treasures to find in thrift stores... everything from jewelry to hair accessories. I recently stopped buying Swarovski; it felt too sentimental, and I'm just not that type of person. However, you can find incredible pieces here for next to nothing.🙂I found them while browsing through Chicago. I'm not sure if those little shops are still around elsewhere, but I assume they are.🙂🙂

Yeah, I'm from St. Louis myself. I swung by Fancy and they definitely have some lovely items...

But what I'm actually hunting for is a hair clip or maybe a comb... something with a bit of a romantic vibe. I couldn't quite find that specific style there. 😢

Sandra Morgan7 said:Ugh, guys, my wedding is approaching at lightning speed... it's happening in about a month, 😲
and I’m still stuck in this total limbo regarding my hair. I need some kind of headpiece or accessory, but honestly? I have zero clue where to even start looking or how to navigate this whole thing. Does anyone actually know anything about this?

I was thinking maybe I could swing by some bridal boutiques to ask, but I'm not sure if they even carry those kinds of things, or if I can even rent or buy something there if I don't end up getting the actual dress from them.

Help a girl out! 😵😵

I'm pretty sure you can't just walk into a bridal boutique and pick up hair accessories unless you're buying their specific gown. Honestly, just check out Claire's or some other jewelry shop instead.

Sandra Morgan7 said:Yeah, I'm from St. Louis myself. I swung by Fancy and they definitely have some lovely items...

But what I'm actually hunting for is a hair clip or maybe a comb... something with a bit of a romantic vibe. I couldn't quite find that specific style there. 😢

Have you been to both?

Sandra Morgan7 said:Ugh, guys, my wedding is approaching at lightning speed... it's happening in about a month, 😲
and I’m still stuck in this total limbo regarding my hair. I need some kind of headpiece or accessory, but honestly? I have zero clue where to even start looking or how to navigate this whole thing. Does anyone actually know anything about this?

I was thinking maybe I could swing by some bridal boutiques to ask, but I'm not sure if they even carry those kinds of things, or if I can even rent or buy something there if I don't end up getting the actual dress from them.

Help a girl out! 😵😵

Check that little shop next to the CVS near the Target; they have all sorts of jewelry and accessories.
Maybe head up to Nordstrom.
Or just hit up Target or Ulta.

Casey Hernandez21 said:Hello, I’ve been lurking here for quite a while without really having anything to ask, but since we should probably start locking in our reservations soon, I wanted to see if anyone has any insight regarding the Sphere arena in Indianapolis (I'm not even sure if that's the right name).
Thanks so much for any help you can provide.

Hey, that's the venue over on El Paso. It changed hands a few months back. It's nothing fancy, but it’s clean, organized, and the food and service are actually solid. I think I heard somewhere the price is $50 per person for both dinners. If you dig up more details, let me know.😍

Sandra Morgan7 said:One more thing... I’m curious if anyone here knows anything about GreenCove.

My in-laws are hosting the wedding this coming spring, so I’m trying to get the lay of the land based on your experiences... maybe some little details I should be looking out for.
I heard a rumor they use those tall, skinny glassware arrangements for the centerpieces? Does anyone actually know if that's true?
And is there any rule against decorating the wall behind the newlyweds?

We have our final sit-down with the owner coming up soon, but I’d love to go in knowing as much as possible! 😁

Here's the breakdown... you pay an upfront deposit $1667, but the total cost drops per head at the end. For 180-190 guests, it's $30; for 190-200, it's $29. And that's just for the first course, folks. If you want their version of stew for the second course, it's $10 per person. If you decide to bring your own lamb or pork, they charge a serving fee of $5.00 per person. Chair covers run $3.25 per person. They don't provide candelabras or flower stands; you have to bring whatever you picked up at the florist.
We asked if we could swap out the second course, and they told us that if we wanted something like cabbage rolls, we’d have to roll them ourselves and bring them in, then they’d cook them for 😲😲😲
Everything—drinks, soda, water, beer, spirits—is handled by them. You can bring your own hard liquor if you really want to, but it won't lower the bill.
Also, heads up: the venue has to be cleared out by 5:00 AM.
So, you do the math. 🤷🤷😕

fadedhawk20 said:Hello everyone... I posed this question a few months back, but since I didn't get any responses then, I figured I would try my luck again. Has anyone here hosted a wedding at the Troy Hotel? I am looking for some honest impressions before making a decision.
Thanks in advance..🙂

The cheapest per-person menu at the Troy hotel is $73. If you want to bring your own lamb or pork, they charge $83 per head. They handle everything except the cake and flowers. The hall holds up to 250 people. Naturally, they have menus for 260, 70, 80, 90 guests, plus a buffet option for $103. The room itself is gorgeous, but it feels like overkill for a 2-star hotel 😢😢🙄

Zachary Booth3 said:And that’s exactly the point. Fewer people are making those marathon multi-hour DVDs these days. Those days where you get a 5-hour disc are mostly gone.
Actually, they haven't vanished entirely because plenty of people still do it, but the trend is dying out.

It’s a lot of work—sitting there for hours just to hand something over to the newlyweds.
You have to edit the shots, assemble the DVD, pick out the highlights, and cut out all the dead air where the camera was just pointed at a wall or the floor.

I'm not calling anyone out specifically, but I am a perfectionist when it comes to this stuff. I can easily tell the difference between high-end production and mediocre work. It's like being able to tell the difference between a talented florist and someone who's just punching a clock.

Regardless, music is definitely one of the biggest factors in a successful wedding. If the food is bad but the band is killer, guests will stay entertained all night and won't even mention the catering. But if the music sucks and the guests spend the whole night moping and bored, they'll remember that forever.

Anyway, I think there's a massive selection of vendors available throughout the Midwest. No one should make a final decision after just one conversation with a venue, a photo studio, a florist, or a jeweler. Usually, there's up to a year between picking a date and the actual wedding, which is plenty of time to shop around and check everything out thoroughly. It’s work, and honestly, it can be a massive headache, but it beats regretting your choices later.

I second everything said here. It’s like you read my mind.👍😍

Jesse Murphy76 said:I actually held my wedding reception at Đerm and we were incredibly happy with everything. The food was fantastic... we had these fried stuffed peppers with cheese that were just amazing! Plus, the owners of Đerm also run their own butcher shop over at Union Square.

Anyone got prices, menus, or anything else you can remember? Send me a DM if you want to keep it private.
thanks 😍

frozenjackal11 said:Anyone here actually stayed at the Zoo Hotel? We managed to snag a reservation and everything looks perfect on paper... but still... I’m looking for some heads-up on what to watch out for. After reading that horror story about those wedding guests who left starving... yikes, gave me the chills. I called the manager immediately to grill him about it, and he just brushed it off as one massive misunderstanding that’ll never happen again. Honestly, the ballroom looks stunning, but I haven't been able to find any actual photos from a real wedding held there...

from reliable sources:
They take leftover food from one wedding and serve or sell it to other people coming in for lunch. But here’s the real kicker 😲😲😲: for a second dinner, they serve stew, and the wedding parties make a deal—they say they want 500 servings, they eat 300, and the remaining 200 get frozen. Then the next wedding party does the exact same thing, leaving another 200 servings to be frozen. When a third group comes along, they "pay" for their 500 servings of stew, but they're actually getting a mix of the leftovers from the previous two weddings that were already paid for! 👎👎👎
So, do your homework. Especially among us folks, because unlike hotel and restaurant owners, we won't try to pull the wool over your eyes.